Zion Sanders constantly has sought new ways to prove herself throughout the past year.

It started with what seemed like the simplest but was the most daunting task: returning to the court.

Sanders tore her ACL about 10 months ago. Even after being cleared to play, she battled self-doubt. She didn’t feel ready. Not to slash to the hoop like she had been so effective. It didn't feel natural with a brace. What if she got hurt again?

A 5-foot-8 guard, she ultimately played 10 games and averaged 6.9 points for Central, where she’s a member of the 1,000-point club and owns the all-time assist record.

Recently, she’s returned to her old form.

“I don’t even think about it anymore,” Sanders said. “I go out there and do what I used to do.”

She drove to the basket during an AAU game last July before stopping to pump-fake. That’s when her leg gave out and she fell to the ground. Sanders had surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus in August.

To that point, she was on the radar of many Division I programs after having traveled the country on the AAU circuit.

The University of Evansville had already offered a scholarship. She was hopeful to receive at least a couple more before starting her senior year.

But the phone stopped ringing. Players don't always return from serious injuries and there was a chance she could've missed the entire season. Sanders started thinking about going to college as a student if basketball wasn’t in the future.

The University of Iowa had been atop her list since she visited two years ago with AAU teammate Tyasha Harris, now a guard for South Carolina.

“I loved everything about it from the campus to the players and the coaches — they were very friendly and so warm,” Sanders said. “Even if it wasn’t particularly for just sports, I loved the school atmosphere.”

After returning to finish her high school career and being named an Indiana All-Star, Iowa was still her school of choice with Clemson as the runner-up. She didn’t want to go the junior college route and felt UE was too close to home.

A few weeks ago, she spoke with Iowa's associate coach Jan Jensen about the possibility of walking on the team. Later at summer orientation, she briefly met with coaches and current players.

Sanders is already in Iowa City for a summer class and to see if she fits in by scrimmaging current players — not at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and without coaches present.

“The fact (Jensen) called me and told me they’d be willing to give me that opportunity was big and something I don’t take lightly,” Sanders said. “I have to prove myself to show they aren’t making a mistake.”

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Zion Sanders of Central collides with Anna Newman of North during the first quarter of the SIAC girls championship at Harrison High School Saturday. Central claimed its third straight SIAC championship with a 44-37 win over North.(Photo: Jason Clark / Courier & Press)

Sanders, who is studying psychology with hopes of eventually earning a degree in pre-med, is 100 percent again and working out as much as she can on her own time. She intends to continue the family legacy.

“I’m really focusing on getting ready for anything they throw me so I can show them I can do it,” Sanders said.

Her father, Vincent, played basketball at South Carolina State and her mother, Ulanda, played at Georgia. Her sister Zuri recently finished her sophomore season at Texas Tech and her brother Zebrie played football at Florida State and two seasons in NFL for Buffalo Bills.

Vincent, who was a member of Central’s coaching staff, wants his youngest child to earn her degree over anything else.

“With all three of my kids, we told them it’s their decision,” he said. “There’s a certain feeling you have the moment you step on campus regardless of where you go, so they had to make an educated decision and not an educated guess.”

Coincidentally, Sanders is now classmates with Castle’s Jack Nunge, who will be a freshman for the men’s team this upcoming season. Sanders' Central teammate Errin Hodges is also playing Division I basketball at Northern Illinois.

Iowa's women's program still has two open 2017-18 scholarships after a guard transferred earlier this month. For now, Sanders will attempt to become the first walk-on since 2013-14.

Her tryout in the fall is yet another opportunity to prove herself. She's already made it this far.

“There’s no doubt in my mind she’s going to come out and make the team,” Vincent said. “She knows she can play at that level with the girls there at Iowa and also in the conference and across the country.”